The last time I was “proud” of our President was a little after we completely dismantled the Taliban and drove the terrorist elements in Afghanistan out of the country, underground, or 6 feet underground. From that point to the end of his Presidency, Bush was a an embarrassment.

As far as criticizing our country overseas…sometimes a little self debasement goes a long way after you have treated the world like a rug mat.

Side note…I feel awful edgy today about this nobel prize thing…I haven't been at all tolerant of anyone that has something negative to say about it. I truly did have a serious sense of pride this morning when I heard the word.

The President showed humble class with his acceptance.
I'll be a conservative that says, “Congratulations, President Obama!”

But please be careful with the “finally be proud of who is in the Whitehouse” comments.
The President dips our pride with every negative comment abroad (whether the comments are truthful or not). He must represent us proudly, as a proud people, and as our President – not our critic.

Always criticize, but do the criticizing in private, and the praising in public (that's page one of any leadership handbook).

“The earth and I are more like cousins than actual friends, but I have to admit that it and the sun did a darned good job with the tomatoes in my back yard this summer. I can assure you that represents a decisive break from the past. I don't expect a Nobel for my bright promise of next year's tasty Beefsteaks and Early Girls, but now that they've started giving Nobel prizes for good things that could happen in the future, I'm as eligible as the next guy, right? As for now, well, I'm no Hendrick Danckerts — who is? — but I'm still a little disappointed to be overlooked. I even think they knew about my plans to build a shed.”

He replaced George W. Bush in the White House.

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics.”

That's what this (political) award is all about:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.”

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laurea…

Nevertheless, this is a day to be proud of our President for making this statement regarding the Nobel Peace Prize.

here in Japan (why am I up so late), many people I know found this statement bigger than the award. I agree with DLS, nice pick-up.

I completely understand why the Nobel committee have him the award. Anyone that does a lot of traveling out of the US knows exactly how Obama has changed the world's view of America and Americans.

This isn't exactly unprecedented…excuse the pun.

Ya got me and I back away… humbled.

This award was stretching things by the PC Committee even by that committee's demented standards. Did Obama really need this? An accurate depiction (cartoon) about this would show the award around his neck, as an albatross. (And actually, that's what it may do for, or to, someone's reputation given what the award really is and what it has stood for so many times in modern years.)

To be honest from a US perspective it seems odd but in an international context it makes perfect sense. The 2008 election was watched with interest from around the world and gave many people and nations hope in the seemingly impossible which his election was considered to be right up until election day. He did accept it well in a good context though I thought.

SteveK, why does EVERY time someone says something “not in line” with President Obama, you just fly right back to Bush?

Actually T-Steel, I only do this when replying to people who can't (or chose not too) say “well done” to Obama for something he has done without interjecting something negative into their remark. If you backtrack through my comments you will find this to be the case. Thanks for asking.